SEAL BEACH : ‘Signal Preemption’ Gets ‘Stop’ From City

The City Council has voted to oppose an Orange County Transportation Authority proposal to create a countywide system that would allow police and firefighters on emergency calls to automatically turn traffic signals red.

Proponents of the “signal preemption” system argue that it would help emergency vehicles move more quickly and safely through intersections. But critics say switching traffic lights out of sequence might make busy intersections chaotic and lead to accidents.

City officials decided to oppose the proposal mainly out of concern that some of the city’s Measure M funds would be used to pay for the system.

City Manager Jerry L. Bankston said the city wants to decide whether to spend Measure M money on a preemption system or on other road projects that the council considers more important.

Several Orange County cities, including Buena Park, Newport Beach and Huntington Beach, have expressed an interest in such preemption systems, according to an OCTA report. Irvine and Santa Ana are considering the technology.

OCTA officials envision a countywide network of radio-activated signals that would help speed emergency vehicles through cities.